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Music
Quarter 3 - Module 2
Instruments of the Orchestra
Music – Grade 6
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 3 – Module 2: Instruments of the Orchestra
First Edition, 2021

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over them.

Published by the Department of Education- Region III

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer/Illustrators/Layout Artists/Editor:
Christine G. Polintan
Myra G. de Leon
Ma. Luisa S. Rivera, Cristina S. Buri
Roland C. Barbecho

Content Evaluator: Margie C. Del Rosario

Language Evaluator: Margie C. Del Rosario
Layout Evaluator: Margie C. Del Rosario
Management Team: Gregorio C. Quinto
Rainelda M. Blanco
Agnes R. Bernardo
Jay Arr V. Sangoyo
Marquez T. Cartel
Glenda S. Constantino
Joannarie C. Garcia

Printed in the Philippines by

Department of Education--- Schools Division of Bulacan

Office Address: Curriculum Implementation Division

Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS)
Capitol Compound, Guinhawa St., City of Malolos, Bulacan
E-mail address: lrmdsbulacan@deped.gov.ph
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Music
Quarter 3 - Module 2
Instruments of the Orchestra
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to
ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the
lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that
you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teachers are also provided
to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best
help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of
this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercise and tests. Read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

Do you love music? Can you play any musical instrument? What musical
instruments do you enjoy playing? In this module, you will be familiarized with
the different musical instruments in string, woodwind and brass, and percussion
family.

This module provides varied activities that will help you recognize
musical instruments in any section of the orchestra.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

• Describe the instrumental sections of the Western Orchestra
(MU6TB-IIId-1)
• Distinguish various musical ensembles seen and heard in the
community (MU6TB-IIId-e-2)

What I Know
Directions: Identify the musical instruments being described. Choose your answers
from the box then write them on a separate sheet of paper.

bass drum bassoon cello clarinet cymbals

oboe piccolo trombone trumpet violin

____________________1. A stringed instrument held in between knees when played.

____________________2. It is the most expressive woodwind instrument.
____________________3. It is the biggest and has the lowest pitch in percussion
instruments.
____________________4. It is the only sliding brass instrument that shifts pitch in any
key.
____________________5. It is also known as the “clown” of the orchestra.
____________________6. It is the smallest but with the highest pitch stringed
instrument.
____________________7. These are pairs of round plate-like instruments clashed
together.
____________________8. It is the smallest and has the highest pitch in the brass
family.
____________________9. It is the smallest woodwind instrument.
____________________10. It is a woodwind instrument with only one reed.

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 What’s In

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct. If it is false, underline the word which
make it incorrect then change the underlined word to make it true. Write
your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

____________1. The symbol means fine.

____________2. The symbol means coda.
____________3. The ternary form has four sections.
____________4. Binary form is also called as the ABA form.
____________5. The shortest unit of music is called phrase.
____________6. The combination of motifs is called structures.
____________7. The simplest of all musical forms is called strophic.
____________8. A form that has only one section that is played repeatedly is binary.
____________9. Musical form is created when different elements of music are
arranged and combined.
____________10. The third section in the ternary form is labelled as A because it is a
repetition of the second section.

What’s New

Below is a picture of an orchestra. The word “orchestra” refers to the area in

front of the ancient Greek stage used by both performers and musicians. Today, it
refers to a group of musicians playing different kinds of instruments. The orchestra is
composed of four families namely: string, woodwind, brass and percussion
instruments. Can you name at least 5 instruments being used in an orchestra?

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 What is It

Instruments of the Orchestra

Orchestral instruments are categorized based on the materials used and the
way they are played and performed. While some instruments are bowed or plucked,
some instruments made of wood or silver are blown through a mouthpiece.
The definition of the four families of the orchestra and the description of the
instruments consisting them are as follows:

The Stringed Instruments

The instruments in the string family are played by using a bow or by plucking
the strings. They are often referred to as the strength of character of the orchestra.
Below are some of the instruments of the string family:

1. Violin
The violin is the smallest but with the highest
pitch stringed instrument. It is played by moving the
bow across the strings. Strings may also be plucked
by the fingers. The violin is also known as the heart
of the orchestra.

2. Viola
The viola is a little bigger and tuned a fifth
lower than the violin.

3. Cello
The cello is bigger than a viola but smaller
than the double bass. Its strings are tuned in perfect
fifths. The cello is played by bowing or by plucking
the strings. It is held in between the knees while
seated.

4. Bass
The double bass is the biggest and has the
lowest pitch in the string family. Its string may be
plucked or bowed while the player is standing
because of its large body.

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 5. Harp
The harp is made up of 47 strings. It has a
wide range of pitches and can produce both very low
and high sounds. It is played by plucking the strings.

The Woodwind Instruments

Woodwind instruments are played by blowing air into their mouthpiece.
Mouthpiece is part of the wind instruments like woodwind and brass which is placed in
the mouth of the musician. Tunes are produced by covering the finger holes. Almost
all of the woodwind instruments are made of wood with a reed in the mouthpiece.
Below are some examples of the woodwind instruments.

1. Piccolo
The piccolo is the smallest woodwind
instruments. It produces pitches that are an octave
higher than the flute.

2. Flute
The flute can produce high pitch sounds and
in rapid succession. Orchestral flutes are usually
made of metal although some are made of wood.
Flute is an aerophone or reedless also known as
edge-blown wind instrument.

3. Oboe
The oboe has two reeds in the mouthpiece.
It is considered the most expressive woodwind
instrument.

4. Clarinet
The clarinet is a woodwind
instrument with only one reed. It can produced a
wide range of low to high notes with versatile sound.

5. Bassoon
The bassoon is the biggest and has the
lowest pitch in the woodwind family. It can produce
a comic and unique sound that is why musicians call
it as the “clown” of the orchestras.

6. Saxophone
Saxophone is a woodwind instrument but
made of brass played with a single reed mouthpiece.
Its sound is in the middle of the woodwind and brass
sections.

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The Brass Instruments
Brass instruments are made of either brass, metal, or silver alloys. Sounds are
produced by blowing air from the mouthpiece. Different tones are also produced either
by sliding or by pressing the valves. Here are some examples of the brass instruments.

1. Trumpet
The trumpet is the smallest and has the
highest pitch in the brass family. It is played by
blowing air in its cup-shaped mouthpiece and
pressing the valves to change the pitch.

2. Trombone
The trombone has a pitch that is little lower
than the trumpet. It produces a brassy sound when
blown from its mouthpiece. It is the only sliding
instrument that shifts pitch in any key.

3. French horn
The French horn has a long length of tubing
coiled into a circular shape with flares into a bell at
the end. It produces a mellow sound and is played by
blowing air into its funnel-shaped mouthpiece.

4. Tuba
The tuba is the biggest and has the lowest
pitch in the brass family. Sound is produced by
vibrating lips into its cup-shaped mouthpiece.

The Percussion Family

The instruments in the percussion family are essential in terms of adding color
to a musical composition. These instruments produce a variety of sounds that give
special effects in a composition. While some percussion instrument are played by
shaking, striking, or by rubbing, some are hit with sticks, beater, or mallets. Some of
the percussion instruments are listed below.

1. Snare drum
The snare drum provides a rattling sound in
a composition because of the metal wires attached
diagonally at its bottom head.

2. Timpani
The timpani is a single drum head that has a
definite pitch. It is usually played in pairs and its
sound is produced by striking its drum head with a
mallet. It is often called as “kettledrum” because of
its shape.

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 3. Bass drum
The bass drum is the biggest and has the
lowest pitch in the percussion family. Its low and
deep sound is produced by striking its head with a
stick or mallet.

4. Cymbals
Cymbals are pairs of round plate-like
instruments clashed together, or played by striking
them with a beater.

5. Xylophone/Marimba
Xylophone and Marimba are percussion
instruments consisting of a graduated series of
wooden bars, usually sounded by striking with a small
wooden hammer or mallet.

What’s More

Independent Activity 1
Directions: Name each musical instrument from string and woodwind families by
arranging the jumbled letters below the picture. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. 2. 3.

LOLEC CPOCOLI RNTEALCI

4. 5.

PARH BSAONOS

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Independent Assessment 1
Directions: Match the descriptions in column A with the musical instruments in column
B. Write the letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B
____1. It is made up of 47 strings. a. flute
____2. It can produce high pitch sounds and in rapid b. harp
succession. c. oboe
____3. It is a woodwind instrument but made of brass d. saxophone
played with a single reed mouthpiece. e. viola
____4. It is a little bigger and tuned a fifth lower than the
violin.
____5. It is a woodwind instrument that has two reeds in the
mouthpiece.

Independent Activity 2
Directions: Choose the name of the given brass and percussion instruments. Write the
letter of your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

____1. a. French horn

b. trombone
c. trumpet
d. tuba

a. bass drum
____2. b. cymbals
c. timpani
d. xylophone

____3. a. bass drum

b. snare drum
c. timpani
d. xylophone

a. French horn
____4.
b. trombone
c. trumpet
d. tuba

____5. a. bass drum

b. cymbals
c. timpani
d. xylophone

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Independent Assessment 2
Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle by identifying the musical instruments
being described. Copy and write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

ACROSS
1. These are percussion instruments
consisting of a graduated series of
wooden bars, usually sounded by
striking with a small wooden hammer
or mallet.
2. It is the biggest and has the lowest
pitch in the percussion family.
3. It has a pitch that is little lower than
the trumpet.
DOWN
4. These are pairs of round plate-
like instruments clashed together,
or played by striking them with a
beater.
5. It is the smallest and has the
highest pitch in the brass family.

Independent Activity 3
Directions: Classify the given instruments according to their family. Copy the table
below and write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

cello clarinet cymbals harp flute

saxophone timpani trombone tuba viola

String Woodwind Brass Percussion

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Independent Assessment 3
Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if not. Write your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.

_________1. The trombone is the only sliding instrument that shifts pitch on any key.
_________2. The viola is also known as the heart of the orchestra.
_________3. The clarinet is considered the most expressive woodwind instrument.
_________4. The timpani is often called as “kettledrum” because of its shape.
_________5. The flute is also known as edge-blown wind instrument.
_________6. The snare drum provides a rattling sound in a composition because of
the metal wires attached diagonally at its bottom head.
_________7. The harp is held in between the knees when played.
_________8. The bassoon is called by the musicians the “clown” because of its comic
and unique sound.
_________9. The tuba produces a brassy sound when blown form its mouthpiece.
_________10. The cello is played while standing because it is the biggest stringed
instrument.

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in the blanks to complete the ideas. Choose your answer from the box
then write them on a separate sheet of paper.

brass orchestra percussion string woodwind

1. The ___________________ is composed of four families namely: string, woodwind,

brass and percussion instruments.

2. The ___________________ family is consist of violin, viola, cello, bass and harp.

3. Some of the ___________________ instruments are piccolo, flute, clarinet, oboe,

clarinet, bassoon and saxophone.

4. The ___________________ family includes trumpet, trombone, French horn and

tuba.

5. The ___________________ family is consist of snare drum, cymbals, timpani, bass

drum and xylophone or marimba.

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 What I Can Do

Directions: Watch online performance of stringed, woodwind, brass and percussion

ensembles. Describe the way musicians play the instruments. Give 5
musical instruments then write your observations on a separate sheet of
paper.

Assessment

Directions: Describe the given musical instruments. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Clarinet - __________________________________________________________
2. Trombone - ________________________________________________________
3. Timpani - __________________________________________________________
4. Violin - ____________________________________________________________
5. Snare drum - _______________________________________________________
6. Tuba - ____________________________________________________________
7. Piccolo - __________________________________________________________
8. Cymbals - _________________________________________________________
9. Cello - ____________________________________________________________
10. Bassoon - ________________________________________________________

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 Additional Activities

Directions: Create an improvised musical instrument using materials found at home.

Follow the rubric below in creating your project.

Criteria Score
2 1
1. Quality of Construction The instrument is well- The instrument reflects
constructed and nicely some effort on
decorated. It is sturdy, construction and
neat, and will stand up todecoration. It is
repeated playing over a reasonably sturdy and
period of time. neat and will stand up to
being played more than
once.
2. Quality of Sound The instrument produces The instrument functions
the intended sound. It but not as well as it could.
meets the requirements
of loudness and pitch.
3. Use of Material Materials used are all Materials used are mostly
found at home. found at home.
4. Instrument Family The instrument is The instrument is not
properly labeled. labeled.
5. Creativity Solid effort is shown in Some effort is shown in
making the instrument making the instrument
look and sound creative. look and sound creative.

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What I Know Independent Assessment 2
1. cello 1. xylophone
2. oboe 2. timpani
3. bass drum 3. trombone
4. trombone 4. cymbals
5. bassoon 5. trumpet
6. violin
7. cymbals Independent Activity 3
8. trumpet String Woodwind Brass Percussion
9. piccolo harp clarinet trombone timpani
10. clarinet cello flute tuba cymbals
violin saxophone
What’s In
1. fine - coda Independent Assessment 3
2. coda - sign 1. True
3. four - three 2. False
4. Binary - Ternary 3. False
5. phrase - motif 4. True
6. structures - musical phrase 5. True
7. True 6. True
8. binary - strophic 7. False
9. True 8. True
10. True 9. False
10. False
What’s New
Depends on the answer of the What I have Learned
learners 1. orchestra
2. string
What’s More 3. woodwind
Independent Activity 1 4. brass
1. cello 5. percussion
2. piccolo
3. clarinet What I Can Do
4. harp Depends on the answers given by the learners
5. bassoon (refer to the discussion)
Independent Assessment 1 Assessment
1. b Answers may vary
2. a (refer to the discussion)
3. d
4. e Additional Activities
5. c Depends on the musical instrument made by the
learners
Independent Activity 2 (refer to rubric)
1. a
2. a
3. c
4. c
5. d
Answer Key
 References

A. Books

Grade 6 Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) in MAPEH, Quarter 3, Week 4,

MU6TB-IIId-1, First Edition. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City: Department of Education.
2020, 261

Grade 6 Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) in MAPEH, Quarter 3, Week 5,

MU6TB-IIId-e-2, First Edition. Meralco Avenue, Pasig City: Department of
Education. 2020, 261

Lugue, Vivian R. and Romabiles, Maria Socorro L., Music and Arts for Fun – Grade 6
Textbook, First Edition, 1253 Gregorio Araneta Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.
2016, 61-73

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 For inquiries or feedback, please write:

Department of Education, Schools Division of Bulacan

Curriculum Implementation Division
Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS)
Capitol Compound, Guinhawa St., City of Malolos, Bulacan
Email Address: lrmdsbulacan@deped.gov.ph

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